Before you hire, get three things on paper: a certificate of insurance sent by the contractor's agent, any licence number the contractor claims, and an estimate that lists every item. A contractor who will not put those in writing is not the one to hire.
What should I ask a fence contractor before hiring?
- Who pulls the permit, and who books the post hole and final inspections?
- Who places the MISS DIG 811 request?
- How deep do the posts go? In Lincoln Park the city inspects for 42 inches.
- What are the posts set in?
- Which wood, vinyl grade or chain link gauge, and what post size?
- Is removing and hauling the old fence in the price?
- How many gates, how wide, and what hinges and latches?
- When do you start, and how many working days?
- What happens if you hit roots or buried concrete?
How do I check that a contractor is licensed and insured?
Check it yourself instead of taking anyone's word. The Michigan Attorney General advises asking whether a contractor is licensed and insured, asking to see proof, and checking with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) whether the contractor has been disciplined. LARA's website also explains which home improvement jobs need a licensed contractor. For insurance, have the certificate sent to you by the contractor's insurance agent. Lincoln Park's Building Department also has a contractor registration form, so you can ask the city whether a contractor is registered there.
What should a fence estimate include?
Footage, height, material and grade, post size and depth, every gate with its width, removal of the old fence, the permit, clean-up, payment terms and a start date. When two estimates differ by a lot, one of them is missing one of those lines.
Should I get three quotes?
For a full fence, yes. Three quotes show the going rate and which company actually measured your lot. Read what each one includes before you look at the total.
What deposit is normal?
A deposit that covers materials is common. We did not find a Michigan statute that caps fence deposits. The Attorney General advises arranging payments as parts of the job are completed, instead of paying most of it at the start. Pay by check or card and keep the receipt.
The cheapest quote wants half up front and will not show insurance. Is that a problem?
Yes, on both counts. Half up front leaves you with little leverage if the job stalls, and the Attorney General's advice is to pay as the work gets done. Without proof of insurance, damage or an injury on your lot may become your problem. A slightly higher quote with the paperwork is the safer bet.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped showing up. What can I do?
Send a written notice with a date by which the work must start or the money must come back, and keep a copy. If the work needed a licence, you can file a written complaint with LARA. If the contractor was not required to be licensed, the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team takes the complaint. Getting money back may still take small claims court. Keep the contract, proof of payment and every message.
The crew cut my internet line or sprinkler pipe. Who pays?
It depends on whether the line was marked. MISS DIG members mark their own lines. Private lines, such as sprinkler pipe, landscape lighting or a wire to the garage, are not marked through MISS DIG. Tell the contractor about them before the job and have them noted on the estimate, so there is a record of who knew.
My HOA approved the fence in writing and now wants it moved. What now?
Keep the written approval and answer in writing. This is a dispute with the association, not a fence problem. A lawyer who handles association matters can tell you where you stand.
Can I install a fence myself?
You can, and a short straight run is a fair weekend project. The hard part here is the holes: 42 inches down through wet clay every 6 to 8 feet, and in Lincoln Park the city inspects them before you pour concrete. Gates and long runs are where homemade fences go wrong. You still have to contact MISS DIG 811 at least 3 business days before you dig and get the city permit.
The only real price is one measured on your lot. Call (313) 723-2710 for a free on-site estimate, or text a photo of the fence line to the same number.